Several social media users and content creators have gone missing after being abducted in overnight operations just hours before planned demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.
Officials have stated that these abductions are part of strategies to defuse the protests against the proposed tax increases.
Among the abducted is vocal social media and political activist Gabriel Oguda. His brother, Zachary Oguda, confirmed the abduction on Twitter at 2:53 am Tuesday, stating, “I can confirm that my brother has been taken by unknown gunmen from his house 5 minutes ago. Any tweets coming from Gabriel Oguda were already scheduled. HE ISN’T SAFE.”
Osama Otero, known for hosting popular X Spaces opposing the Finance Bill 2024, was also reportedly abducted. Other X users, including Drey Mwangi, TemperCR7, Harriet, Shad, Franje, Worldsmith, and Hilla254, are suspected to have been taken in the same coordinated roundup.
Osama Otero’s last tweet, posted around the same time as Oguda’s abduction, read, “Guys are outside where I am,” and has since gone viral. The police have not yet commented on the situation.
The abductions have provoked an uproar among families, friends, and the general public. Social media users quickly rallied to demand the release of those detained, with hashtags #FreeOguda and #FreeOsama becoming the second and third most trending topics in Kenya shortly after the abductions. The hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024, which had already garnered global attention, reached 3.59 million posts by Tuesday morning, making it the most trending topic in East Africa.
Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), urged the public to remain vigilant and to share any information that could help locate the missing individuals. “We call on all members of the public to be extra vigilant at this time. Let us continue to share and communicate any information you may have to establish the whereabouts of our comrades,” Odhiambo said.
Protesters are planning to march through various streets across the country to denounce the proposed taxes. These demonstrations will coincide with the Members of Parliament’s vote on the Finance Bill 2024 proposals, which will take place amid tight security.
